Welcome Julie B. Fix, APR, Fellow PRSA, to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Julie has a BA, Journalism from University of Houston. She is a former PRSA Houston board secretary, treasurer and Assembly Delegate. She was former leadership in the Texas Public Relations Association, including chair. She was a former board member and chair of the Public Relations Foundation of Texas. She was elected to the PRSA College of Fellows in 2010, served as 2017 Chair, Retired August 2021 after 20+ years teaching at UH.

Connect with Julie B. Fix, APR, Fellow PRSA at:
https://www.linkedin.com/.../julie-b-fix-apr-fellow-prsa.../

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Mike O’Neill, to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Mike O’Neill is a corporate communications and public relations leader who blends nearly a decade of strategic messaging experience with a 25-year foundation in broadcast journalism. He combines the instincts of a newsroom veteran with the discipline of a corporate communicator, crafting stories that inform, influence, and build trust.

Mike began his career in 1993 as a news photographer in Great Falls, Montana, before moving to Colorado Springs, Austin, and Houston. In Houston, he served as a producer at KTRK and later as Executive Producer at KHOU, leading newsroom teams and overseeing major market coverage.

He later transitioned into corporate communications at MetroNational, the real estate company that owns and operates all of Memorial City, before joining TDECU in 2022 to lead its external communications and media relations efforts. Mike is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Innovation at Texas Tech University and serves as Treasurer for PRSA Houston.

Connect with Mike O'Neill at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoneill2348/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Laura Frnka-Davis, APR, to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Before founding LFD Communications, Laura honed her expertise at some of Houston’s well-known nonprofits and businesses, including Texas Children’s Hospital, Pierpont Communications, and LifeGift. Her comprehensive understanding of multiple communications disciplines, from media relations to PR writing to internal and external communications, including crisis communications, instills confidence in her clients and collaborators.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field, Laura was named the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston Chapter Solo Practitioner of the Year in 2020. Her continued success was marked by silver Excalibur awards in integrated communications for campaigns associated with the Houston Botanic Garden in 2021 and 2022 and a bronze PRSA Houston Excalibur award in 2023 for her work with Teach For America Houston. In 2024, LFD Communications further solidified its reputation, bringing home two awards from PRSA Houston and one from the International Association of Business Communications (IABC) Houston. In 2025, she received a silver Excalibur Award in the integrated communications campaign category for her work on the Sugar Land Arts & Music Fest.

Laura is an instructor in the Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives in the Susan Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.

Connect with Laura Frnka-Davis, APR at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurafrnka-davis/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Kristoffer Smith to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Kristoffer Smith is a communications and public relations professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in creative direction, content creation, and production. With expertise spanning school public relations, sports, short films, corporate projects, commercials, promotional videos, news, and photography, Smith has a proven track record of managing cross-platform campaigns, leading teams, and driving brand recognition through innovative multimedia solutions. An award-winning creative with mastery in Adobe Creative Cloud, video production, and digital communication, Smith strives to bring diverse social and cultural experiences to his audiences, aiming to inform, intrigue, and inspire.

Connect with Kristoffer Smith at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristoffer-smith-59728793
Website: https://kristoffersmith.my.canva.site/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Leslee Hackett to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Leslee is a digital marketing and public relations consultant with 12+ years of experience developing data-driven communication strategies that elevate brand visibility and audience engagement. She specializes in social media strategy, content management, integrated internal and external communications, and multimedia storytelling, with a strong focus on analytics and performance optimization. Her work bridges creativity and strategy, helping organizations translate complex messages into compelling digital narratives that deliver measurable results. Currently pursuing her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) to further strengthen ethical, strategic communications practice.

Connect with Leslee Hackett at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleeh/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Robyn Patterson to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Robyn Patterson is a senior public affairs strategist with deep experience at the intersection of politics, policy, and media. She served as a spokesperson in the Biden White House, where she led communications strategy on some of the administration’s most complex and high-profile issues—including labor and tech policy, civil rights, and crisis response. In that role, she prepared senior officials for major media interviews, developed cross-agency messaging frameworks, and worked closely with national reporters to shape coverage during fast-moving events.

Before joining the White House, Robyn served in senior communications roles at the U.S. Department of Commerce and in the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, helping to navigate legislative negotiations, economic messaging, and media engagement at the highest levels of government.

Today, Robyn is building the public affairs practice at Allison Worldwide, a leading marketing and communications agency. In this role, she advises companies, coalitions, and philanthropic organizations on how to navigate today’s evolving policy landscape, communicate with credibility in polarized environments, and respond strategically to reputational risks. She specializes in helping clients apply campaign-style communications strategies—message discipline, stakeholder engagement, and rapid response—to private sector and nonprofit challenges.

Be sure to join us for our Networking Luncheon: Shaping Power: How Strategic Communications Influence Policy, Perception, and Public Trust

Date: February 11

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Houston-Galveston Area Council 3555 Timmons Ln #100 Houston, TX 77027

High Stakes. High Visibility. High Impact.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Robyn Patterson, senior public affairs strategist at Allison Worldwide and former spokesperson in the Biden White House. Robyn will share an inside look at how high-level communications strategies are developed and deployed when the stakes are highest.

Join PRSA Houston for a timely and practical discussion on communications that shape outcomes when it matters most. Don’t just respond—lead.

Sign up and learn more about Robyn. Register here: https://prsahouston.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php...

Connect with Robyn Patterson at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-patterson/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Corey Martin to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Corey has spent over 25 years contributing to powerful integrated earned communications programs – connecting influencer marketing with earned media to effectively take advantage of an ever-changing media landscape. Press + media influencers as well as social + cultural influencers create a media dynamic that requires a cohesive strategy and as Managing Director of Media & Influence at Allison Worldwide, Corey focuses on bringing an evolved approach to an expanding media universe to deliver true ROI for clients. Corey has built PR and influencer strategies for Super Bowl advertising campaigns and “Big Game” guerilla marketing initiatives leveraging influencers for a variety of brands including Cetaphil, AXE, Dove Men+Care, Flipz and many others. Corey is also a professor of influencer marketing at Montclair State University and creates content with his husband and son on their Instagram and TikTok Channel @RainbowDads with over 2M+ followers across Instagram and TikTok. RainbowDads has become a go-to voice for brands looking to connect with families through authenticity and laughter love of sports. Known for deep ties to the NFL, Buffalo Bills, and broader sports community, Corey brings both professional and personal influencer expertise to his work with a variety of clients.

Be sure to join us Thursday, Jan 22 for our webinar INFLUENCE IN MOTION: WHAT’S HOT, WHAT’S NEXT, AND WHAT MATTERS IN 2026
Register here: https://prsahouston.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=255&ts=1768491338

Connect with Corey Martin at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-r-martin-b604a5/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyreidmartin/
https://www.instagram.com/rainbowdads/

Connect with Veronica V. Sopher at:
Website: https://www.veronicavsopher.com/
Social:@VeronicaVSopher

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

Welcome Angelique Myers Evans, MPA, APR to PRactically Speaking Houston – the official podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

Angelique Myers Evans, MPA, APR is the Chief Communications Officer at Houston TranStar, where she leads internal and external strategic communications for a multi-agency regional transportation and emergency management organization. She also serves as the President of PRSA Houston, one of the nation’s largest Public Relations Society of America chapters.

Angelique is the founder of Angie Malone Studios and brings more than 20 years of experience spanning radio and television broadcasting, public relations, and executive coaching. Holding a Master of Public Administration and Accredited in Public Relations (APR), she helps professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact—on stage, on camera, and in the boardroom.

Connect with Angelique at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemalone/

Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

PRactically Speaking Houston is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.